Talking Travel With History in High Heels: Ashley’s Smart & Stylish Journeys
Today, I’m so excited to share my latest Talking Travel Interview with Ashley, the fashionista, historian, writer, and photographer behind the incredible blog History in High Heels! Ashley is the ultimate #girlboss and is such an inspiration to me.
I first met Ashley when I was working abroad in Florence, Italy. We got to know each other over coffee dates, impromptu photo shoots (she always takes the most amazing photos), and our mutual love of blogging. She gave me so much advice when I was first starting my blog, and I’m constantly amazed by how she manages to stay on top of her professional life (she’s getting her PhD in Early Modern European History) while traveling and running her website and print shop!
Keep reading to learn more about Ashley’s stylish journeys in academia, and how she manages to incorporate travel into her busy lifestyle!
Hi Ashley! Can you tell me a bit about why you started History in High Heels?
Graduate school is rough on your sense of self and psyche. In addition to this, academia is very judgmental of women, especially if you like to dress fashionably. Academics aren’t supposed to care about looks, and if you do then it is assumed you could not possibly be a serious scholar. I felt creatively stifled and wanted a space where I could express my fashionable and creative side free of intellectual judgment.
How do you manage to keep up with blogging while also working on your graduate studies?
Another reason I started blogging was to force myself into the habit of writing everyday. So, it has actually helped me when it comes to keeping up with the writing demands of a dissertation. For most the hardest part of writing is the fear of writing. Once you get started it is not so bad. Blogging is also an important creative outlet. I think too often grad students assume the only thing they should think about is grad school. But this is unhealthy and makes you less productive. It is important to make time to exercise and have a hobby outside of academia–this actually makes me more productive when I do focus on my dissertation. Beyond this, it is all about planning and timing. I always make sure I plan and think about my blog content well in advance.
Where did your love for Italian history and culture begin?
I studied abroad in Rome!
How does your passion for history enhance your travel experiences?
Your experiences and the sights you see are always going to be more meaningful if you understand their history and significance. A painting is never just a painting and a building is never just a building.
When most people think of PhD students, they picture someone sequestered in a library, typing away. How have you been able to travel so much while also working towards your doctorate?
This is probably the biggest misconception when it comes to historians. We travel for work! In order to research, I have to go to Italy and visit the archives. I apply for research grants that allow me to live and work in Italy for extended periods of time. From there, I take advantage of Europe’s small size and cheaper travel.
What are some of your favorite places to visit in Italy and why?
Rome will always hold a special place in my heart. I also love hiking in the Cinque Terre and relaxing in the Amalfi Coast.
Your Instagram photos are totally gorgeous! What tips do you have for someone looking to take great travel photos?
It is all about learning how to operate your camera and understanding lighting! You can teach yourself a lot about photography on YouTube. Take the time to learn the mechanics and professional editing software. Also, you have to take a lot of photos to get a couple good ones!
What inspires your style? How do you juxtapose your love of fashion with the world of academia, where femininity and style are not typically expressed?
The problem is that as a woman I make a statement with my clothing no matter what I choose to wear. For the male academic dressing in a suit is neutral, it is the default for male power and authority (intellectual or otherwise). For women the act of getting dressed is never that easy. If I wear a suit I am “power dressing,” “trying too hard,” or perpetuating masculine perceptions of authority. If I ditch the suit for dresses and *gasp* patterns, I am “too feminine” and run the risk of being perceived as not serious or less competent.
The debate rages over what female academics (particularly historians) should and shouldn’t wear. While I certainly don’t have any definitive answers on this topic, I do think it is important to talk about. If only to remind ourselves that fashion/clothing can embody, reflect, and/or transcend race, class, and gender hierarchies. Having the blog, however, makes me feel less stifled when I have to dress the part at work.
What advice do you have for someone looking to start their own travel blog?
You can’t start traveling in order to blog. This will set you up for failure. Travel needs to be a part of your life and you just happen to blog about it.
Tell me a little about the Preppy Print Shop-where did you get the idea to start your own print shop?
I have always been an artist, when I was young I was an oil painter. As an undergrad I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do, so I completed both a BA in history and a BFA in studio art. A couple years ago I decided to redecorate my apartment and when I couldn’t find artwork I liked at a decent price, I decided to make my own. Well, one thing led to another and my cousin recommended opening an Etsy shop. I was already playing around with blogging at the time, and I realized it was the perfect platform to express my creativity, force myself to write everyday, and promote my prints! So I went for it!
Discover more about Ashley and her style on her blog, History in High Heels, or follow her on Instagram!
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